Peer Recovery Specialist

The Peer Recovery Specialist’s role is to be a reliable and supportive daily presence in a substance use disorder (SUD) clinic to support others in recovery from SUD. The Peer Recovery Specialist will serve as a readily-available role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to clients/peers in treatment of SUD, with the goal of helping prevent relapse and promoting long-term recovery. The Peer Recovery Specialist must demonstrate an ability to share personal recovery experiences and to develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships.

Below are essential functions of the job:

• →Utilize lived experiences to provide recovery education to support recipients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
• →Conduct or assist in the delivery of group-based addiction recovery therapy sessions.
• →Engage in technical training on virtual reality (VR) headset/handset equipment with therapy content. Once trained, provide and train persons in recovery in on use of VR equipment and virtual environment.
• →Provide counseling and interaction with clients/peers who choose to engage in virtual reality therapy about their virtual reality therapy experience.
• →Provide a model for both people in recovery and staff by demonstrating that recovery is possible.  Present to staff on recovery experiences and pathways.
• →Assist clients/peers in identifying their personal interests, goals, strengths, and weaknesses  regarding recovery to help recovering persons develop their own plan for advancing their recovery; for “Getting the life they want.”  Support individuals in advocating for their needs from professionals.
  Recovery Planning -- facilitate (via personal coaching) the transition from a professionally  directed service plan to a self-directed Recovery Plan. The goal should be to transition from professionally assisted recovery initiation to personally directed, community supported recovery maintenance.  Participate with clinical team in treatment planning.
• →Promote self-advocacy by assisting clients/peers to have their voices fully heard; their needs, goals and objectives established as the focal point of rehabilitation and clinical services.
• →Maintain recovery program project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and database(s).
• →Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery,  educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self- help groups, professional services, etc.) that support the client’s/peer’s goals and interests. This will involve a collaborative effort including the recovering person, agency staff and other relevant stakeholders.
• →Support connections to community based, mutual aid groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
• →Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.
• →As the peer recovery specialist position evolves and knowledge increases, visit community resources with recovering persons to assist them in becoming familiar with potential opportunities. Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.
• →Maintain contact by phone and/or e-mail with clients/peers after they leave the program to ensure their ongoing success and to provide re-engagement support in partnership with others in the agency if needed. Long-term engagement, support, and encouragement.
• →Other duties as directed by Division Chief, Medical Director, and/or Management Staff. 

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in the State of Virginia through the Virginia Certification Board
• Minimum 1 year working as a Peer Recovery Specialist
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Substance use counseling certificate, Associates degree in human services, or Bachelors in Social Work, Psychology or a related field.
• Preferred 3 or more years as a Peer Recovery Specialist
• Training in Motivational Interviewing preferred
• Previous experience working with researchers or clinicians
• Knowledge and understanding of multiple paths to recovery including 12 Step, SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma
• Experience working with clients using medications for opioid use disorder preferred.  Experience with recovery resources in the Richmond area
• Familiarity with local recovery housing options, higher levels of sud care, and recovery community organizations
• Familiarity with digital image-based technologies like immersive video games or virtual reality devices.